Archive for January, 2010

There are over one hundred million monthly hits for the word “foreclosure” and variations thereof. It is highly searched, no doubt! I am wondering who are the people who search for this kind of information. Are they folks with cash who want to get a bargain? Very likely. Maybe some other folks who provide services for people in foreclosure themselves, and search to see who their competition is? Yes, there are a few of those as well. Who else? I’m trying to think… who else? Of course there must be a few others here and there.

But really, who else?… How about homeowners in foreclosure, looking for help? I guess there are a few out there. If we think about recent statistics that show that about 13% of all residential loans are in a stage or another of default, which means that every one in seven mortgaged homes are in or going towards foreclosure, then certainly we assume that yes, there must be some homeowners in foreclosure that search the web for this keyword. I believe they are looking for help. I assume that many of them have no money for an attorney, and are looking for free help. I also assume that many of them are desperate, and without slightest knowledge as far as when would they be kicked out of their home, or what their legal rights are.

If I think a little deeper, I must conclude that in fact there are so many of such people looking for free foreclosure information on the web, maybe the majority of them. And yet, what do we find? If I search the web for “foreclosure” information, all of the sites I find are some type of sales related sites. Especially the ones on the first pages of search engines. Some companies advertising foreclosed properties, some realtors selling such properties, some investors buying foreclosures, some gurus teaching how to buy and sell, some attorneys advertising foreclosure and bankruptcy as part of their practice, and that’s pretty much it. As far as the free information goes, none.

Let’s try to put some free information out there. If you are an expert in the field, let’s give out some information with no strings attached. If you are a homeowner and have a story that can benefit other, let’s share it with others. Let’s build a Chicago foreclosure community, and not leave people in the dark!

I’ll start with my piece of free information: homeowners can get legal help for free. CARPLS Legal Aid Hotline helps low-income residents of Cook County find answers in every area of law. Their phone number is 312-738-9200. Such help is available in all counties; check with your local court, or just search the web. Free help is out there, let’s bring it more on the web.

Hundreds of thousands of troubled homeowners are at risk of being kicked out of President Obama’s foreclosure prevention program, CNN reported.

Struggling South Florida homeowners are faced with many options in dealing with an underwater mortgage, resetting option ARM mortgages or unaffordable mortgage payments, including government and private modification programs, short sales, foreclosure and bankruptcy. An experienced can assist in determining the option that is right for you.
Companies servicing loans through the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) have until Jan. 31 to review trial modification that have been underway for several months. Meanwhile, the Treasury Department said it will issue new guidelines next week but would not give details.

Reviewers must determine whether borrowers have made all the payments during the trial period and completed the necessary paperwork. During trial modification, a homeowner’s monthly payments are no more than 31 percent of pre-tax income. Some homeowners have waited seven or eight months to see if they qualify for permanent adjustment to their mortgages.

About 450,000 struggling homeowners are currently enrolled in the program.

If you have are facing foreclosure in the Miami area, contact Barakat, Jacobs & Associates for a to discuss your rights. Call (305) 350-5055.

We launched the organization because of our own experiences transitioning from the military and how http://justdomyhomework.com/ unsatisfied we were with the existing off-ramps to civilian life